The Social Workers Ethical Accountability

All social workers can attest that at some point in their career they’ve had a situation that was an ethical dilemma. They work with people who are experiencing some very difficult and sensitive situations, and there are instances where issues arise that put social workers in a difficult position in regards to ethics. Whether it be from conflicting responsibilities of a social worker or an issue that lies in an ethical gray area. Fortunately, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has a code of ethics for social workers that lays out what is expected and required of a social worker when dealing with a variety of issues. Also, since social workers are considered covered entities under the Health Insurance Portability and Affordability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), they are also held responsible for protecting their clients’ health information. When faced with an ethical dilemma, if a social worker chooses to not follow the standards laid out by the NASW and HIPAA then they could face professional, and potentially legal, disciplinary actions.

One cannot simply state a theory or intervention method works without providing supporting evidence. Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research Informed Practice affirms that social workers utilize interventions and apply theories based on what has been reinforced through research. Yet, social workers also recognize that practice can lead to the discovery of topics that have not been or contain little research surrounding an issue, resource, idea, or case. Moreover, we will never know everything about any topic, because practice derives from multi-disciplinary sources and multiple ways of knowing. To demonstrate my proficiency in the area of research and research informed practice, I have provided three artifacts: a literature review, research proposal, and a social and behavioral sciences training - responsible conduct of research certificate obtained upon the

A typical day for a social worker consists of helping those that are in need, providing appropriate resources, and empowering their clients. Before a social worker can help their clients, they will need to do an assessment. An assessment consists of learning about the individual and their everyday lives. According to Timberlake, Zajicek-Farber, and Sabatino (2008), “The client system and the social worker conduct an assessment of problems, needs, strengths, and resources; establish priorities and goals; and reach agreement about the preintervention date-collection activities necessary to provide a baseline for evaluating change” (p. 79). It is important for the social worker to collect all this information because it will provide insight on

As social workers, it is our responsibility to use the most effective method of practice to engage our clients, assess their situation, and help them create goals that will produce positive outcomes. Every client will present a unique set of challenges; therefore, the social worker must be careful in choosing an approach that will meet the client’s needs, compliment the skills of the therapist and are in line with the agency’s mission. According to Robert and Watkins (2009), psychotherapy is a therapeutic interaction between a trained therapist and a client that is

With a master 's level education in social work, I see myself envisioning clients’ health and well-being. As a student, I will study and practice techniques, beyond a generalist perspective, that will allow me to give clients hope and the ability to see something greater than what they are facing. Upon completion of a Master of Social Work direct practice degree and certificates in gerontology and mental health programs, I intend to become a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I will competently incorporate specialized skills in different professional settings while developing my knowledge of a wide range of social issues and professional standards. With commitment, I wish to develop skills that will enable me to create or find hidden resources and services for my future clients, create platforms through counselling for victims of trauma.

As a social worker many problems may arise because of the constant grey area of either letting your personal values interfere with your professional opinion. It is essential to provide your client with information and tools to help them succeed and overcome their problems. Following the core values is essential to being a resourceful, competent social worker. In some cases, core values are in conflict. In a situation where more than one core value is in conflict it is considered an ethical dilemma (Hick, 2009). It’s not guaranteed that a perfect solution will arise, therefore one of the core values is subsided because the other has more of an impact on the client.

As a social worker and or a human services worker we must focus on helping the client and the best interest of the client. In certain situations, we all carry to our picked range of work our own particular convictions and qualities. (SWT) Most of the clients that you come across and that you will help will be helpless, that would be why we are working with them, and are in need of a buffer from anymore abuse. We may need to change some of these convictions keeping in mind the end goal to work agreeably and for the best conclusion of our clients in the work setting. Maintaining a healthy relationship with your client you must keep tabs on moral issues identified by the “code of conduct” that you agree to when you decide to work in this field, you have to be attentive to individual qualities and how they may effect of the quality of care that you give.

Social work practice works with many people in different situations, needing concise help from professionals. This assistance includes a range of skills such as; identifying the problem or problems, apply and use evidence based practice and theories and critical reflection. All these skills are integral parts of best practice in social work, and are needed by all service users.

Reflection is a process of learning through and from self-analysis, self-evaluation, self-dialogue and self-observation towards gaining new possibilities for self-enhancement. In social work, this learning process is an integral part of applying theory to practice. With the growing influence of postmodernism, social workers also need to be prepared to recognise the eurocentric discourse that grounds and governs their disciplinary knowledge. It is against this background that I will reflect upon Foucault’s power-knowledge axis, particularly as it relates to cultural competence. As will be demonstrated, anti-oppressive practice rests on the ability of social workers to analyse the power dynamics that pervade their encounters

There are many ways in which social workers can avoid ethical dilemmas. In regards to the Jones case I will explain five ethical dilemmas. I will explain what 3 core values could have benefitted the Jones family and I will give three strategies I will use to practice ethical behavior in my field of social work in the future.

Applying evidenced-based practice has three steps. Step one is making sure the research is creditable. Going into detail about step one should model a social work practice. In a social work practice, you always want to make sure you are looking for clarity and in some cases it helps to paraphrase it or reword it differently. As a social worker you have to be non-judgmental and try to understand every perspective. You have to be unbiased when it comes to wording and how it affects the meaning of the conversation. Also, making sure the research on the surveys or interviews are fair and represent the entire population. The second step is when you match your outcome of the research in your own “practice wisdom." As a social worker you want to compare the research you made with prior experience. You want to have different perspective and information that help you understand the client better. Lastly, the last step is to ask questions to the clients about their significance of what they have accomplished by working with you. Just asking what the client has learned can help

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is a process in which the practitioner combines well-researched interventions with clinical experience and client preferences and culture to guide and inform the delivery of treatments and services (Social Work Policy Institute). According to Encyclopedia of social work, evidence-based practice is a five-step process used to select, deliver, and evaluate individual and social interventions aimed at preventing or ameliorating client problems and social conditions. EBP is at an important turning point in social work. Regardless, the challenges of EBP to social work education, practice and research are varied and complex.

Self-reflection and correction in social work practice is important for continued learning and professional development. Without self-awareness, social workers cannot separate their personal feelings, values, and attitudes from their professional. This is important because we need to focus on the needs of the client, not what we think they need. Knowing how to separate our personal feelings and values from our professional feelings and values will prevent us from getting burnout and help us maintain professional boundaries.

For this reflective journal, I have decided to draw parallels between approaches to social work that I have learned in my placement, and what I have learned during my academic career at Carleton University. Placement thus far, has been an eye-opening and rich experience, which has taught me about the profession that I aspire to be a part of. I am a third year student, and much of my time spent at Carleton, has been studying theories, and becoming exposed to different schools of thought. Theories are incredibly beneficial, to teach and inform the practice of the next generation of social workers. However, placement has provided me with the opportunity to apply theoretical ideals, to real life social work practice.

The social psychologist Kurt Lewin (1890-1947), once wrote: “There is nothing as practical as a good theory”. According to this saying we tend to consider theory very important and that it can be helpful to guide us on the correct way. This doesn’t state that practice is not important as well. Therefore using a good balance between theory and practice can help to save cost and time.